Frank wants an everyday drive that can double as fishing-trip express

What car should I buy?

Frank is looking for something that will deal with day-to-day driving and tow his 2000kg boat with ease on fishing trips with his mates. He’s considering a used Nissan Navara and Pathfinder, as well as a Toyota Prado, all in diesel/auto form.

He’s leaning towards a wagon and the Pathfinder because he’ll be able to get a younger vehicle for the money but is worried its rear legroom might not be up to the job.

Is he on the right track, or is there something else he should be considering?

The budget: Up to $45,000

The shortlist:

Serious towing over big distances requires serious muscle, so Frank is right to be shortlisting heavy-duty 4WDs like the Navara/Pathfinder and Prado over more city-orientated alternatives.

I’m not sure, though, that he really needs to be looking at both Nissans as they’re both essentially the same core package, only the Pathfinder has the wagon body Frank is seeking.

Which makes it hard to see where the Navara fits into this contest. And even if he is tempted by a twin-cab with a tray on the back, there is a better option.

2006- Mitsubishi Triton dual-cab 4WD

The Triton doesn’t have everything its way against a Navara but if you must have a twin-cab 4WD ute it’s the one to go for.

It’s one of the better performers on sand and its back-seat space and comfort is vastly superior. A gutsy 3.2-litre turbodiesel engine, class-leading safety (including curtain airbags and, from 2009, stability control, features only added to the Nissan in 2010) and five-year warranty add to its appeal.

The Mitsubishi, however, is disappointingly wobbly to drive, with flat, unsupportive front seats. Its maximum towing capacity, which jumped from 2500kg to 2700kg in 2009, isn’t a match the Nissan, either.

The Pathfinder, like its Navara sibling, received changes in 2010, headlined by gutsier 2.5-litre four-cylinder and all-new V6 turbodiesel engines, but these improved models will stretch Frank’s budget.

Even in original form, though, the Nissan has a versatile seven-seat cabin, competitive safety artillery, strong performance and formidable 3000kg maximum towing capacity. It’s strong off-road performer, too, and more manageable than a Prado owing to its smaller size.

The downside, though, is disappointingly cramped rear accommodation. And while you wouldn’t call the Nissan a bad drive after sampling the others, its road manners and refinement aren't state of the art.

The Prado is a tough nut, with supreme off-road abilities and features like twin fuel tanks that make it perfectly suited to long-distance duties.

It also packs in plenty comfort, refinement and seating for eight, and (if you get a post-2007 update model) competitive performance and economy from the 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine.

The Toyota, though, is a lumbering beast to drive, lacks user-friendliness inside and the 2500kg maximum towing capacity is respectable rather than amazing. You’ll also need to target at least an upper-level VX if you want curtain airbags and stability control.

Which, given the high new pricing and strong resale, will mean an age or kilometre-count sacrifice next to similarly priced alternatives.

If it comes down to a battle between the wagons then the Prado is very tempting. It’s roomier, more refined and more comfortable than the Pathfinder, and has a long-distance focus that makes it darn near unbeatable for the kind of adventures Frank has in mind.

The biggest issue with the Toyota is it doesn’t come cheap. If this is an issue, and you can live with a little less space, then the Pathfinder will do a similar job while putting younger and potentially better specified used examples at hand.

The Triton? It's not a wagon and could drive better but with its handy load space, competitive back seat, strong safety and adventure-friendly capabilities it is a viable alternative to the others.

Consider the potential savings offered by its long warranty and you might just find it's worth a punt.